A Life Camp Magistrates’ Court in Abuja on Thursday, ordered a businessman, Felix Nnandi, to pay the sum of N4.5 million as compensation for stealing electrical appliances of a complainant.

The defendant who resides at Mashape road in Mpape, Abuja, pleaded guilty to charges criminal trespass and stealing.

The prosecutor, Charity Nwachukwu, had told the court that a complainant, one Umeh Chukwuma who resides at Gwarinpa, reported the case at the Gwarinpa Police Station on November 23, 2025.

She said that the defendant had criminally trespassed into the shop of the complainant, to steal electrical appliances worth N 23 million.

The prosecutor said that the complainant had consequently, reported the matter to the police for investigation.

According to the prosecutor, during investigation, the defendant made confessional statement, admitting that he stole and sold the stolen items to one Salisu Usman.

She said that all efforts to recover the stolen items failed.

Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

Delivering ruling afterwards, the Magistrate, Best Ojukwu, convicted the defendant as charged.

The court ordered the convict to pay the sum of N4.5 million as compensation, or serve a term of six months imprisonment in lieu of compensation.

The court held that the payment would be made by installment within the next four months.

She warned the convict to desist from committing crime, after serving his punishment.

During a plea for mercy, Nnandi had begged the court to temper justice with mercy.

The offence contravenes the provisions of sections 288 and 352 of the Penal Code. 

(NAN)